House of Commons Hansard #137 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was hate.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Controlled Drugs and Substances Act First reading of Bill C-286. The bill seeks to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and the Food and Drugs Act to allow physicians to prescribe psilocybin counselling to patients without requiring override approval from Health Canada bureaucrats. 300 words.
Combatting Hate Act Bill C-9. The bill proposes amendments to the Criminal Code to combat hate, including creating new offenses for intimidation or obstruction at places of worship and adding the noose to the list of prohibited hate symbols. Supporters, primarily from the Liberal Party and Bloc Québécois, argue the bill provides essential protection against rising hate. Conversely, Conservative Party members oppose the legislation, arguing it endangers religious freedom and risks criminalizing good-faith expression while failing to address enforcement of existing laws. 29800 words, 4 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.
Motion That Debate Be Not Further Adjourned Members debate a motion to end debate on Bill C-26, authorizing $1.7 billion for provinces to boost housing supply. Liberals argue the urgent funding is essential to stimulate construction, citing Ontario's success. Conservatives condemn the lack of study and oversight, characterizing the bill as a blank cheque that bypasses necessary parliamentary review. 4700 words, 30 minutes.
National Framework on Sickle Cell Disease Act Second reading of Bill S-201. The bill aims to establish a national framework for addressing sickle cell disease, including improved research, screening, and patient support. While MPs across party lines acknowledge the importance of the issue, concerns persist regarding federal interference in provincial health jurisdictions, the need for cost transparency and accountability, and ensuring genuine collaboration with provinces. The motion passed and was referred to committee. 6700 words, 1 hour.
Government Business No. 11—Proceedings on Bill C‑26 Members debate Bill C-26, authorizing $1.7 billion for housing. The Bloc Québécois supports the legislation for respecting provincial jurisdiction despite their concerns about fiscal imbalance, while Liberals argue the funding is vital to boost housing supply. Amidst opposition frustration regarding the government’s frequent use of closure motions to bypass debate, the House votes to pass the bill. 8100 words, 2 hours.
Admissibility of Government Business No. 13 Claude DeBellefeuille and Elizabeth May argue that Government Business No. 13 creates an unprecedented, unfair, and undemocratic precedent by imposing a retroactive deadline for committee amendments, thereby hindering the opposition's ability to participate effectively. 500 words.
An Act to Authorize Certain Payments to be Made out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund Second reading of Bill C-26. The bill would authorize the Minister of Finance to provide over $1.7 billion to provinces and territories to increase housing supply. Liberal members argue these payments allow flexibility to lower development fees and accelerate construction. Conservative members criticize the lack of accountability and measurable outcomes for taxpayers. Bloc Québécois members support the unconditional transfers as respecting jurisdictions, while the NDP argues the bill fails to prioritize affordability and housing need. 15800 words, 2 hours.
Jacques Gourde Conservative Lévis—Lotbinière, QC
Mr. Speaker, delays in the delivery of support ships for the Canadian Navy have been growing longer for years. Meanwhile, the Liberals are threatening to end the lease agreement for the MV Asterix, which is in perfect condition.
Does the Liberal government intend to renew the lease or purchase the MV Asterix?
Sherry Romanado LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, we are strengthening the Royal Canadian Navy from coast to coast to coast, with billions of dollars in investments in the context of one of the largest shipbuilding programs.
This is the largest investment in the Royal Canadian Navy since the Second World War. It includes six Arctic and offshore patrol ships, 15 Canadian combat ships, two joint support ships and up to 12 submarines.
The Government of Canada is proud to make generational investments in the Canadian Armed Forces.
Shuv Majumdar Conservative Calgary Heritage, AB
Mr. Speaker, we have laws and basic standards to hold those responsible for slavery accountable in Canadian supply chains. Canadian law requires the government to table the anti-slavery report from the ombudsman every year. It has refused to do so for three straight years.
Why does the government keep breaking the law?
Anita Anand LiberalMinister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, this government always stands with its legal obligations.
At the same time, we have introduced Bill C-35, and we very much hope that the opposition will work with us. Through the summer, we will be consulting, and we will be coming up with a list of goods that will be the subject of sanctions in the case of forced labour. We stand up for human rights. We stand up for the rights of those subjected to slavery in supply chains, and we will not let it happen.
Tamara Kronis Conservative Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC
Mr. Speaker, I suppose it is useful to know that instead of reports, we are going to get consultations. Maybe we will get an answer to the next question.
CPP disability applications are supposed to be decided within 120 days, 80% of the time. Last year, the Liberals managed only 49.3%, less than half.
Why are disabled Canadians being left for months without income while the minister misses her own deadline?
Patty Hajdu LiberalMinister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
Mr. Speaker, we work diligently to make sure that Canadians get the benefits to which they are entitled. Indeed, the focus of the department is to ensure that Canadians have access to those benefits and supports when they are challenged in applying for those benefits. We will continue that hard work together to make sure every Canadian gets the benefits to which they are entitled.
Carol Anstey Conservative Long Range Mountains, NL
Mr. Speaker, targets may not matter to that Liberal minister, but disabled Canadians rely on those supports and they certainly deserve better.
Large areas of Gros Morne National Park are covered in dry timber and at risk of wildfire because of the spruce budworm outbreak.
Why have the Liberals refused to join the provincial control program, putting Newfoundland and Labrador forests at risk of fire?
Julie Dabrusin LiberalMinister of the Environment
Mr. Speaker, Parks Canada takes the spruce budworm issue very seriously, as well as wildfire control. We are taking measures in all of our national parks to make sure that we are protecting them from wildfires.
Andréanne Larouche Bloc Shefford, QC
Mr. Speaker, with just two weeks to go before July 1, hundreds of people still cannot find housing and are at risk of becoming homeless. Municipalities are investing to address the unprecedented homelessness crisis, including Montreal, which has tripled its budget. Quebec has also increased funding for this issue in its latest budget.
The only government that is not doing more is the federal government. All that Ottawa has done is to renew its unsheltered homelessness and encampments initiative, which it had irresponsibly scrapped.
With just two weeks to go before July 1, will the Liberals increase their funding?
Caroline Desrochers LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure
Mr. Speaker, I find my colleague's remarks odd. She knows full well that we are focused on finding solutions to homelessness. She sits with me on the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities, where we discuss this issue. She also knows full well that Build Canada Homes was set up with over $1 billion for transition houses. More than 1,000 units have already been announced. We are working hard on this.
On top of that are all the programs that we introduced, such as the school food program for children. We have cut taxes. We are here to help Canadians and improve affordability. I do not know why the Bloc Québécois members are not supporting us.
Sébastien Lemire Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
Mr. Speaker, my colleague is asking why. It is because homelessness has increased by 20% in Quebec and 199% in Abitibi—Témiscamingue. While encampments have become a permanent fixture, while Pauline Marois has been working on a summit on homelessness, and while municipalities and Quebec have been investing, the federal government has contributed not one red cent.
It even took a public outcry to prevent the Liberals from making cuts. We have an unprecedented crisis on our hands, and it is only going to get worse on July 1.
When will the government acknowledge that fact and do its fair share?
Caroline Desrochers LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure
Mr. Speaker, homelessness is a serious and urgent problem, and it is a shame that it is being politicized today. Canadians deserve safe, stable housing, and that is why we are going ahead with the national housing strategy, which includes an action plan to address homelessness.
That is why we are investing more than $1 billion under Build Canada Homes to build transitional housing. That is why we are introducing programs such as Reaching Home, which helps community organizations working to combat homelessness.
The Reaching Home program has already helped more than 112,000 Canadians access stable housing. We are there for Canadians, and we will keep working.
Jacob Mantle Conservative York—Durham, ON
Mr. Speaker, it was all fake, all an illusion. Liberal promises to work together on Bill C-22 were hollow from the start. The Liberals will ram through the largest government surveillance operation in a generation.
The Minister of Public Safety promised better. He promised he would work collaboratively, promised he would listen and promised he would take amendments. He is breaking those promises. Police need the tools to catch the bad guys in a digital era, obviously. That is why we proposed a solid compromise: pass the uncontroversial parts of the bill, and continue debating the others.
Will they take that offer?
Gary Anandasangaree LiberalMinister of Public Safety
Mr. Speaker, this is not how legislation works. We have put forward a comprehensive piece of legislation—
Public SafetyOral Questions
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
The Chair must be able to hear.
If the minister would start over, hopefully I will be able to hear this time.
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Mr. Speaker, this is not how legislation works. We have put forward a comprehensive piece of legislation. We have consulted with a range of stakeholders, including law enforcement. Parts 1 and 2 go hand in hand. We cannot cherry-pick which parts of the act go into effect.
I will give an example of the obstructionism of the Conservative Party: over 10 hours of discussion on clause-by-clause at the committee, and they have passed seven amendments. Just last week alone, over three hours, they passed one amendment, and in fact, the key leaders on the committee were not even—
Public SafetyOral Questions
Frank Caputo Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Nicola, BC
Mr. Speaker, “this is not how legislation works.” That is what the minister just said. Allow me to tell him something. Canadians do not take their orders from the Liberal Party. Conservatives do not take their orders from the Liberal Party. We will scrutinize legislation as we see fit.
We have heard from Canadians concerned about big brother aspects of this bill. We have heard from civil libertarians, experts, law professors who say we should be passing part 1 and scrutinizing part 2.
Why will they not pass part 1 and study part 2?
Ruby Sahota LiberalSecretary of State (Combatting Crime)
Mr. Speaker, this Conservative opposition is not about scrutinizing bills. We are up for scrutiny. We have amended many of our bills, including Bill C-22.
Bill C-22 is a bill that we in Parliament have tried to bring many times because, as I know the Conservatives recognize, we need modern tools to fight terrorism and to fight organized crime, but these Conservatives do not really care. They will oppose anything. Just last week, they opposed harsher sentences for child predators. Who are these people?
Mike Lake Conservative Leduc—Wetaskiwin, AB
Mr. Speaker, a year ago this week, the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences released a report commissioned by the Liberal government that identified significant gaps in diagnosis, coordination and access to supports for Canadians with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, or FASD. Since then, virtually nothing has been done to address the critical issues raised by the experts.
Why pay for this report in the first place if the government did not intend to use the findings?
Maggie Chi LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health
Mr. Speaker, this is an important issue. We have worked on many fronts to address many issues in this respect, and I look forward to working with the member as well. Through budget 2025, we have made investments in health research through CIHR, and we will continue to do that.
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk, QC
Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, the Canada Revenue Agency, or CRA, is being completely mismanaged. As a result, it has become a cakewalk for tax evaders to hack into the accounts of perfectly ordinary, honest people. Unfortunately, when people get hacked, it can takes months and months before the CRA can resolve their issues.
I have a simple question for the minister responsible for national revenue. How many cases involving people who were hacked are currently being investigated by the CRA?
François-Philippe Champagne LiberalMinister of Finance and National Revenue
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his important question. My colleague knows full well that 100 days ago we implemented a plan to address certain challenges we have observed in the service provided by the Canada Revenue Agency. I can assure members that everyone working at the CRA is doing their best to serve Canadians well. They are ensuring tax integrity. They are ensuring that everyone pays their fair share of taxes.
As we head into summer, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the employees who work at the Canada Revenue Agency.
John Barlow Conservative Foothills, AB
Mr. Speaker, the president of Grain Farmers of Ontario warned that we cannot have affordable food if farmers cannot afford to farm. Fertilizer prices are crippling, and suppliers are now telling farmers they may not even have enough supply for next season. Canada is the only G7 country that has a tariff on fertilizer imports.
Can the minister tell me exactly how much the Liberal government has collected from the 35% tariff and how much it has robbed from the pockets of Canadian farmers?